I have my doubts if the 200GB quote is really true... maybe 200MB, if that, more likely 20MB. I worked on one system, a Tandem, where one table was over 144 partitions, and the Tandem is considered a MAINFRAME/MIDFRAME computer, at the time. The MAX that could be put into this table was 576GB, and that was filling it up. Most of the table partitions had 25-45% free space, and grew maybe 2% a day. But once the partition was compressed (space reclaimed), it would average to about 0.25%-0.5% per day, if that. That is about 3GB.

Remember, this was a MAINFRAME/MIDFRAME computer used by one of the top 12 insurance companies in the USA. At 200GB, assuming the post is even remotely true, means, that depending on the computer and the size of the HDD, a new drive would have to be added every 1 to 2 weeks.

So, as stated, I have my doubts that the figure of 200GB is really true.

--- In firebird-support@yahoogroups.com, "emb_blaster" <EMB_Blaster@...> wrote:
>
> I am just amused with this question on Stack Overflow.
>
> http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6224760/firebird-backup-restore-is-frustrating-is-there-a-way-to-avoid-it
>
> I can hardly imagine a scenario that this kind of database would happen.
> Can anyone help the man there? Seems a good scenario to study.
>